Just take those old books off the shelf...

...with apologies to Bob Seger (and anyone who has ever heard me sing) I was repeating that little tune the other day as we strolled out of the library, a pile of "new" books tucked under our arms. "We" consisted of a recent graduate of the second grade and myself. For him, Daniel Handler's series of unfortunate events are all-new. For me (donning sheepish look) it's Primary Colors. Seems appropriate in this ridiculous election year, don'tcha think?

Shades of Grey Blip or an Industry Boost?

In case you think "everyone" is reading 50 Shades of Grey, I'm not. (Yet! It's on my list.) But I know how you feel - I've been absolutely astonished by the number of my friends and the number of exuberant strangers I've heard from lately who have devoured the book. It's hot, however you want to interpret it - Ellen Degeneres is reading it on YouTube, a movie's reportedly in the works, and several public libraries have banned it.

(Not surprisingly, the title seems to have caused some spelling confusion, but that's a topic for my writing blog, not this one.)

Because I'm so interested in the machinations of the publishing industry, I have to wonder whether Shades of Grey is more than a blip. Will it amount to Harry Potter for a different demographic? After they've finished reading Shades of Grey (a time or two, wink, wink) will women of a certain age seek out other similarly absorbing titles?

I rather hope so.
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